Manipur CM raises alarm over surge in villages due to ‘illegal immigration’

IMPHAL: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh sounded alarm over “unnatural growth” of 996 new villages in the state, attributing it to illegal immigration.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh said that such “unnatural growth” of new villages due to “illegal immigration” poses threat to indigenous communities and national security.

The Manipur chief minister questioned: “Will anyone accept the unnatural growth of new villages and population, causing massive changes to the demography in their own state or country due to the influx of illegal immigrants?”

He claimed that the Northeast state of Manipur is confronting a “serious issue”, where several “new villages have emerged due to a massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar since 2006 till date”.

CM Biren Singh claimed that creation of new villages by “illegal immigrats” led to destruction of forest cover, “as well as carry out poppy plantations”.

The Manipur CM added: “Not to mention, these illegal immigrants have started encroaching on the resources, job opportunities, land, and the rights of indigenous people.”

“We have started collecting biometric data of the illegal immigrants as well as geotagging of their settlements. I appeal everyone in the country to support the government in keeping our nation safe and secure from illegal immigrants,” Manipur CM Biren Singh said.